Germany & Dr. Bierstedt for Cervical ADR?

[Cynlite]

"I need someone who is going to look at the whole spine. Not just an MRI but goes by my symptoms too."

Cheryl, this is exactly how I feel. Dr. Bierstedt just looked at my cervical MRI and X-Ray and made his recommendation without addressing the pain I have in my lower body and difficulty walking. Several other surgeons suggested I get the MRI's of the rest of the spine before proceeding. While it's more money out of my pocket, I think it's an important step because otherwise, I could come out of a two level cervical surgery and still have the same issues. In the past, little was found in my thoracic and lumbar spine to point to leg problems. It is a conundrum. I'll send Dr. Bierstedt the new MRI's when I get them and see what he says then.

In the middle of my surgeries 2007 - 2010, my neck autofused at the C6/C7 level and the surgeon just said off the cuff "oh, your neck autofused." I guess he didn't think that's a big deal here in the U.S. since they fuse the spine for every single problem it seems. I believe there are some great surgeons in the U.S. doing more progressive work than the average bear but, my insurance is only good in my state. If I'm going to pay cash, I keep leaning towards Europe but, I think the Texas Back Institute is worth checking out too. I wish I was as far along in the process as you are but, I need to stay close to home still so, I'm using the time to keep working my options. Good luck my dear. My thoughts and prayers are truly with you.

[Cheryl0331]

I am nervous and excited all at the same. I have pre-op orders to do 10 days prior to arrival, a bank wire to process once the loan is deposited, and medical tourism insurance to purchase which is pricy! But the air is booked, hotel is held, and the surgery date is set.

[scoop302]

Cynlite, the reason for going to Dr. Clavel was made easy by Bierstedt's team. I sent my hard copy files as requested by UPS at a cost of $75. I never heard from them, and after 3 e mails, all of which were not returned, I gave up. I contacted Dr. Clavel's site and was given the info on how to send my reports and films. It was during this time that I received a response from Malte Peterson. His said they had misplaced my file, but would now like to follow up with me, this after 5 months. I replied back and then received a diagnosis from Bierstedt and was told Ken would follow up with me. During this time, Yolanda from Dr. Clavel's office got me the diagnosis, and requested X Ray's. They then set everything up for the Skype call. I heard from Ken, who was busy because he is a fireman in Canada, and was just able to follow up, three weeks later. They said Surgery C5-7, with M-6C, with Bierstedt. I had my call with Dr. Clavel and he went over everything, including the difficulty with bone spurs, etc. I started the process of setting a date for surgery. I was then contacted by Ken, who said Dr. Illerhaus would do the surgery at a different hospital than originally planed. I asked why. I set up the date and made reservations to go to Spain. Ken finally got back to me and said Illerhaus was better at more complicated surgeries that require work with bone spurs and problems placing the disc's. This process spanned 6 and one half months. The process with Yolanda and Dr. Clavel, 3 weeks, and during that time I had to get a script and an X Ray. I only spoke with Yolanda and Dr. Clavel. I never talked with Dr. Bierstedt, Malte Peterson, or Dr. Illerhaus, but did talk with Ken and a woman in Colorado, I forget her name. After all of this, the decision was real easy. Plus there were a couple of people in surgery with Dr. Clavel at this time posting, and it just made it real easy. Sorry for the long explanation, but I had to be fair to all parties involved and tell the whole story so no one can accuse me of bias. My first choice was Bierstedt, but his team changed that, and I am glad they did, Dr. Clavel was the right choice.

[Cynlite]

Scoop302, thank you for taking the time to tell me what happened. I do appreciate you sharing your experience.

[Cynlite]

Cheryl, Wow you are moving along quickly! I'm so glad you have your plan in action. I hadn't considered Medical Tourism Insurance. I'm researching it now. Thinking positive thoughts for you.

[NJ Gene]

Originally Posted by scoop302

I never talked with Dr. Bierstedt, Malte Peterson, or Dr. Illerhaus, but did talk with Ken and a woman in Colorado, I forget her name. After all of this, the decision was real easy. Plus there were a couple of people in surgery with Dr. Clavel at this time posting, and it just made it real easy. Sorry for the long explanation, but I had to be fair to all parties involved and tell the whole story so no one can accuse me of bias. My first choice was Bierstedt, but his team changed that, and I am glad they did, Dr. Clavel was the right choice.

Scoop, as I've said in prior posts, Bierstedt's team is composed of a bunch of clowns. Just about everyone you mention on his team was once part of Dr. Ritter-Lang's team. Malte is a former employee of RL. The woman in Colorado is Kelli Meier. She is a former patient of RL, but was one of the "lucky" ones. She will never admit being operating on by him unless specifically asked. Last I spoke with her (about 2 years ago) she was studying to become a chiropractor. When I made the decision to get an endoscopic foraminotomy instead, she sent me a YouTube video of one trying to scare me in that it destabilizes the spine. That was at level C6/C7. In retrospect I'm glad I got that done when I did. It took care of my symptoms, and preserved the disc itself. As a result I currently only need one level of ADR at C5/C6, which i will have done in early May by Dr. Blumenthal at TBI.

[Cynlite]

Gene, please don't take this the wrong way but, I would be interested in seeing that video. I had four endoscopic foraminotomies on my neck and I think it did destabilize my spine which is why my C6/C7 autofused. I'm glad it worked out much better for you!

To be fair, since many people are reading these posts, I need to say again that my experience with Dr. Bierstedt and Malte has been professional and timely so, I have no complaints with them except for the one I already stated. I would have preferred that the doctor had asked me for updated Lumbar and Thoracic MRI's before giving me his opinion since walking is a huge problem for me. I made that clear in my information to him. After our conversation on the phone, I understand that his recommended surgery to replace my C5/C6 and C3/C4 discs may not address this issue. He was clear about that so, I'm still waiting to get more tests done.

I don't want to alienate the former patients of Dr. Bierstedt from my thread. Several people have been kind enough to contact me and share their very successful surgeries and experiences with Dr. Bierstedt. This information is priceless to me. I really appreciate their input as much as the input from the former patients of Dr. Clavel and Dr. Zeegers. Not every surgeon is going to be perfect for every patient. In the end, we all have to figure this out for ourselves.

When an office staff acts unprofessional, I can understand you and Scoop being frustrated with them and deciding not to work with them. It is something to consider in making one's final decision. I appreciate both of you sharing your experiences as well.

[Cynlite]

For someone who used to travel out of the country three times a year, it feels like a security blanket getting my brand new passport that just showed up on my doorstep a minute ago! Thank goodness, that is one more thing off my list. I'm so relieved to have it because I'm going to need it if I go to Europe for spine surgery! One step at a time but, at least I can move freely around the world again.

[NJ Gene]

Originally Posted by Cynlite

Gene, please don't take this the wrong way but, I would be interested in seeing that video. I had four endoscopic foraminotomies on my neck and I think it did destabilize my spine which is why my C6/C7 autofused. I'm glad it worked out much better for you!

Cynlite, I can't find the exact video that Kelli tried to use to scare me. However, I went on YouTube and found a couple of videos of it. These videos are more accurate, because Kelli had sent me one that dealt with the lumbar spine. The first video is more of an explanation of what happens. The second one is more graphic.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhd69ruzofQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTTiQ-nDwKo

[Cynlite]

Just had some shots by the pain specialist to try and release the muscle spasms in my back. Hopefully, I'll get some relief from them.

Good news ... bone density scan came back good so, no worries there.

Bad news ... there is something funky going on with my thyroid gland so, I will have to have it checked out now

Good news ... the insurance company finally approved the MRIs of my lumbar and thoracic spine. (What a waste of two weeks messing with this...grumble grumble but, I guess I should be grateful they got approved!) I'm trying to get the MRIs scheduled for next week. I'm hoping that comes together by the end of the day....keeping my fingers crossed.

So, I'm making some progress, albeit slower than I would like Have a great weekend everyone!

P.S. Thanks for the videos Gene. The graphic one was well GRAPHIC. LOL